The author who inspired this year's event is Edgar Allan Poe.

The Community Cultural here Partnership includes the Keokuk Art Center, the Keokuk Public Library and the Lee County Historical Society.

Each organization will sponsor a home and find volunteers to help provide the food and spooky atmosphere.

Houses can be visited in any order during the evening.

"The Raven" is at the Samuel F. Miller House and Museum, 318 N. Fifth St., sponsored by the Lee County Iowa Historical Society.

Special guest is actor Duffy Hudson, who will play the part of Poe and recite some of his famous works, including the 1845 poem "The Raven."

The Miller House and Museum, visited by ghost hunters and history buffs, is a perfect setting for the chilling words of Poe.

"Raven wings" will be on the menu.

"The Purloined Letter," the theme of the Keokuk Art Center's home, is the last of three detective stories featuring C. Auguste Dupin and is considered to be an important early forerunner of the modern detective story.

Tom and Sandy Seabold's 1880s Victorian home on 226 Morgan St. will provide the location to recreate this short story set in 1840s Paris.

A buffet of French food and wine, accompanied by the music of Stephen Foster (portrayed by Chuck Mitchell), will highlight the evening.

"The Masque of the Red Death" at the John and Marsha Kirk residence, 126 High St., is sponsored by the Keokuk Public Library. Special guest is vocalist Linda Tracy.

Prince Prospero intends to ride out the plague of the Red Death with his friends and honored guests while locked in his abbey, in this 1842 example of Gothic fiction, only to find that Death is already inside. Prospero's masquerade ball and the phrase "Eat, drink and be merry" are the inspiration for this house, where masks made by volunteers will be handed out to guests.

The evening ends with dessert and champagne and drawings for door prizes from 9 to 10 p.m. in the Round Room Gallery of the Keokuk Public Library and Keokuk Art Center.

Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased by Friday, Sept. 27. Costumes are encouraged.

Contact the Keokuk Public Library at 524-1483 or the Keokuk Art Center at 524-8354 for more information or to indicate attendance plans.

Source: Dailygate